Wondery has officially joined forces with Message Heard and The Standard to unveil a gripping new true crime podcast, (In)Justice: Killer Privilege. As part of this exclusive partnership, Wondery+ subscribers will get early access to binge all episodes ad-free starting March 5.
Produced in association with The Standard (formerly the Evening Standard), the podcast is hosted by investigative journalist Katie Strick, who has extensively reported on this harrowing case for nearly a decade.
The Crime That Shook the World
The chilling true story revolves around the tragic murder of Alex Morgan, a promising young university graduate from London. In 2014, at the age of 23, Alex was working in commercial property and had traveled to Zurich during the holiday season to reconnect with friends, including Bennet von Vertes, the privileged son of a wealthy gallery owner.
The night took a sinister turn as a high-spirited party ended in a horrifying crime scene.
Gruesome Details of the Murder
- Around 7 AM, von Vertes made a distress call to the authorities, reporting his friend’s death.
- Alex had endured extreme violence—thrown against furniture, stabbed with a glass shard, and impaled with a meter-long candlestick.
- His cause of death: asphyxiation on his own blood, with nearly every bone in his head broken and teeth lodged in his throat.
- In stark contrast, Bennet von Vertes walked away with a minor hand injury.
A Mother’s Quest for Justice
The podcast follows the relentless fight of Katja Faber, Alex’s grieving mother, as she battles for accountability in a case entangled with privilege, wealth, and legal loopholes. Despite initial convictions, shocking new allegations have surfaced, keeping this case in the limelight.
New Revelations and Ongoing Pursuit of Justice
While this case first made headlines nearly a decade ago, startling new evidence has emerged, reigniting public outrage.
Key Developments Since the Trial
- Von Vertes’ history of violence: Previously hidden details about his violent tendencies have surfaced.
- Post-release allegations: New accusations against him have sparked fresh investigations.
- A cat-and-mouse chase: Authorities continue to track von Vertes, whose powerful connections complicate efforts to bring him to full justice.
Exploring Power, Wealth, and the Justice System
Beyond the brutal crime, (In)Justice: Killer Privilege delves into thought-provoking themes:
- The psychological profile of ultra-rich individuals raised with unchecked privilege.
- The trauma of grief and how it drives families to seek justice against all odds.
- The impact of money and influence on legal proceedings and judicial outcomes.
Where to Listen
The podcast will be available exclusively on Wondery+ starting March 5, with all episodes ready for binge-listening ad-free. Later this year, The Standard will make it accessible to a wider audience on its platforms.
